pies & cakes

This peach pie recipe is inspired by two things, fresh peaches in season in the Summer and cooking with Frenchie. Frenchie, my dear girlfriend is, of course, French. Very French. Born and raised in Brittany, she’s been in the United States for a while, but she has not lost any […]

Peach cake made from fresh peaches is just the epitome of summertime to me! And, I’m one lucky one to be able to get local fresh peaches grown right near where I live. Whether I’m in Colorado where the Palisades variety is just divine or my dear South Carolina as […]

Grab a cup of java or cup of your favorite tea and bite into this hand pie, crunchy cherry hand pie that is and you’ll experience a small taste of nirvana! Back in West Virginia when I was a kid, hand pies were one of Mom’s best treats she’d make […]

There’s not enough great things I can say about this dessert! I mean this cutie pie no bake chocolate coconut almond dessert requires zero cooking skills. Truly, just follow these directions and you’ll have this luscious no bake pie in your refrigerator in now. And, the best thing about it? […]

You know, I know a lot of people want to get back in the kitchen and cook, but I also know most of you don’t want to have complicated recipes that require the steps of getting a new tax act passed and the ingredient list of a monthly grocery shopping […]

Let me tell you how this recipe came about. Earlier in the week, we were invited to dinner and our hosts said ‘Bring a dessert!’ So, I made one, a delicious lemon poundcake but the dang thing stuck to the bundt pan, and it was a total mess. I mean […]

This canned jar chocolate devil cakesrecipe was adapted from my biscuit scone recipe. They were just so good that I decided to adapt a little and see if they would work baked in a canning jar. My original idea was to fill them part of the way, have them bake […]

There’s so much history behind this ‘hallmark croatian cheesecake’. From the journey my Grandmother made at the turn of the twentieth century to American from the old country, which was then the Austro Hungarian Empire to now today and sharing this recipe with the world on Hallmark Channel’s Home & […]

So many times when I cook, my inspiration comes from what I see on my kitchen counter tops or in my pantry or refrigerator. And, this is especially true with quickly perishable products. So, when I spied a lot of lemons on my counter in the fruit bowl and in […]

Nothing like a killer pumpkin pie. And, this crunchy crust spiced pumpkin pie is in the over-the-moon pumpkin pie category! Not too sweet. Very pumpkineeeee. Lots of warm spices. And, a heckuva lot of crunch as in the crust that’s made of gingersnaps and almonds! I mean with my recipe […]

This banana pumpkin walnut spice cake has a big shortcut. Yes, I’m going to use a cake mix. But, I’m going to build on that cake mix base and create something entirely different. In today’s world, I do know that lots of folks would love to make homemade cakes, well, […]

Some cakes are cakes. Whereas other cakes are not only cakes, but they’re cakes with a history. Yep, that’s what you’ll find with my updated version of the pineapple upside down cake. This pineapple tidbit brown sugar walnut upside down cake takes the vintage version to a new level! Upside […]

The world of cyberspace is filled with great amazing home cooks worldwide! There’s no shortage out there for any type of dish regardless of ethnicity. That’s the origination of this great oatmeal cake recipe! As you well know, food and cooking are certainly one of the most popular things posted […]

No one loves parties more than I do. And, what better time to throw a party than for a birthday! When my boys were young (and up into their teenage years), birthday parties were a family affair, maybe a few little friends from around the neighborhood. And, these parties were […]

Preserving history through food is one of my passions. Nothing thrills me more than to have someone share with me a cherished recipe from their family heritage. I’ll usually make that recipe, like these pie crust cookies. Oh, the sweet story behind these cookies. Then I love it when someone […]

In this crazy world of everyone being super busy, it’s always great to have recipes that are completely brainless, simple, quick and easy. And, that’s what this mango ginger ice cream pie is. All you need is a food processor, about ten minutes to prepare (if that!), and then let […]

There are so many things I love about this gluten free banana buttermilk bundt cake. First thing. The bundt pan. Yes, it’s a beauty. Now the key to making this baked cake release perfectly is greasing it liberally. Yes, it’s non-stick, but, nonetheless, I wouldn’t even think about that because […]

Sometimes you don’t mess with an icon. And, in this case, the apple pie is an icon in America. You’ve heard the saying, ‘It’s about as American as apple pie!’ But, being the slight ‘rebel’ I am, certainly not in a negative sense but in a way that makes things […]

Cardamom. I can’t remember when or how I fell in love with this spice. But, I’m glad I did. Maybe I was wondering through Jerusalem’s Old City Souk. Maybe I was wondering through the spice aisle at World Market or Trader Joe’s. That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I […]

Sometimes you want something utterly chocolatee. Bizarrely decadent. Insanely gooey, chewy, crunchy. Something that makes you happy. Something that once you have it, you’ve satisfied that urge. That desire. That need. In the case of desserts and sweets, well, the molten lava brownie s’mores is your answer to all these […]

Probably the best part of a pie for me is the crust. I think a lot of people really like their crusts. Especially, the crust around the perimeter of the pie. Why do we so love that part of the crust. Well, it’s got a little crunch and browning and […]

There is nothing better than an occasional treat for breakfast. Now, I love to eat healthy. And, I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but sometimes you just have to live on the edge and go with something that is decadent and outrageous. And, that’s […]

There’s nothing more inviting and helpful than an easy cake recipe! One that cuts a few corners, saves you some time, but gives you that end product that you’re so very proud of. This apple parfait bundt cake is just that! There are actually two steps. Step one is with […]

I believe that most people probably have leftover cranberry sauce from the Thanksgiving day feast. Now some folks buy their cranberry sauce in a can. That’s ok. Convenient. But, if you do, I think the chunky whole cranberry kind is much better. I admit I’ve bought it before. Well, before […]

A simple pumpkin spice apple cake is just what you need during the busy hectic and stressful holiday season. Actually, anytime of the year, having simple recipes, especially cakes and pies makes entertaining and family gatherings so much more enjoyable for you, the cook! Cake mixes have come a long […]

Let’s face it, most of us like something sweet every now and then. Then there are those of us who love to nibble on something sweet more often. While moderation is the key word here, it’s nice to know that there are options for getting that sweet tooth satisfied without […]

Big cherry baby cakes, I know it sounds like an oxymoron. How can it be big? How can it be baby? Well, it just is. The cherries are big, juicy, delicious, pitted, and right in your grocer’s freezer case. While I love fresh cherries, they’re in season only a short […]

When apples are in season, it’s time to buy bushels and bags of them and enjoy the bounties of these sweet crisp fruits. This apple fig custard open faced pie is made in a half sheet cake pan and will serve a crowd! You can make ahead, then pop in […]

I always say that food is history. And, history is food. Such is the case with this Oreo banana custard pie. Well, really not ‘the’ pie, but the Oreo cookie. This iconic Oreo cookie has been around since 1912. That’s when Nabisco came up with the idea of two chocolate […]

While I’m not a baker, I can make a mean cheesecake. Well, my version of a rather rustic ‘organic’ farm table like cheesecake. Certainly not the refined French cheesecake version. You know, total perfection. Absolute velvet creaminess, not one lump or air bubble. Regardless of the ‘rogue’ nature of this […]

I found this cake while hanging out at Food 52~~it’s called ‘Tarta de Santiago’ and it was created by Emma Gardner whose blog is Poires au Chocolat~~here’s some history behind it as found on the website~~ In Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Tarta de Santiago is sold everywhere. The city lies […]

Here’s a littl’ backstory on this county fair carrot pineapple cake. I started making it on the first go ’round from scratch. Yes, everything. it took some time. It was a wonderful batter. Had wonderful flavors. Then I put it in the bundt pan. Big mistake. I knew it before […]

Sometimes short cuts are just what you have to do in cooking. And, this chocolate splatter bundt cake is one of those recipes that has a shortcut. Now, this doesn’t in one iota way compromise the flavors or taste of this cake. It just saves some time. And, who doesn’t […]

Goat cheese spinach tart. It’s such an easy healthy dish that’s great for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. If we were going the French way, we’d call this ‘chevre’ instead of goat cheese. for those who have some intolerance towards milk based cheeses, the goat cheese is a wonderful alternative. […]

There is nothing better than fresh sweet in-season strawberries. And, when you get them, you are ready to overdose on this berry goodliness! We know that there are upteen zillion ways to use strawberries. I mean they are just so versatile and perfect for both sweet and savory dishes. But, […]

Simple pies with a lot of power and punch. How’s this come about? Well, a short cut with the pie crust. Yes, let’s use a refrigerated roll out crust. Feel totally free to make one if that’s your style and you have the time. However, if not, then there’s not […]

Best time to eat this coconut galette? Right after it comes out of the oven. Oh, yes, warm and creamy, you’re going to experience a pastry that isn’t too sweet. Isn’t too creamy. Isn’t too rich. But, just right. With just five ingredients, you’re going to have a tasty dessert […]

Did you have a favorite candy bar as a kid? Lots of people have food favorites from childhood. Food is such a powerful memory maker. Seems those flavors, textures, visuals and tastes simply sear indelible memories in our brains. And, this ‘almond joy cake’ brings back great memories! Almond Joy […]

You can see from the ingredients list that this lemon mint cake pie is super simple to create and bake. The freshness of the lemons and mint add to the lip smackin’ good flavors that burst with each bite. And, the lemon drizzle is just icing on the cake. I […]

Tresa is one of my besties. My besties are a short list of friends that I would walk over hot coals for. And, one thing I always do when she comes over and we’re having eats, which is always, is that I pull out something with crunch and crisp. It […]

Apples. Spices. Jack Daniels. And, what do you have? An apple jack tart. Chocked totally full of fresh tender apples, leave those skins on for texture, beauty and nutrition, mix with an array of spices, some sweetness and a splash of Jack, and you’re in business. Now, if you don’t […]

Thanks to Dole Sunshine for partnering with me for this post! All the opinions and creativity are solely my own. For a full disclosure, click here! Sometimes I get soooooooooo excited about new recipe creations that I want to post them immediately! But, I’ve restrained myself with this hawaiian banana […]

This bridesmaid’s peach cake is just about as spectacular as the bride! I have no idea what possessed me to name this cake as such, but I do think it had something to do with being a Southerner, knowing that peaches are part of our heritage, and realizing that Southern […]

This bailey’s chocolate espresso tart was not only fabulous and easy, but when I shared it on Instagram, the iconic chocolate company Ghirardelli reshared it. Of course, I tagged them in my post and obviously they were enchanted enough to share with their chocolate loving followers! This tart is rich […]

These littl’ creme brulee ramekins are full of sweet dark cherry goodliness! Yes, there’s some ‘healthy’ value added with the ground flax. And, the bursts of cherry juices and Mother Nature’s nectar will just make you cheery cherry happy! If you don’t want the flax, you might try some ground […]

Fresh apples just make me happy! I mean they’re just so versatile, available and diverse in the kinds of apples out there. I really like mine crispy. Then I swing between sweet and tart. So, with this recipe, I wanted a little tartness with this moist cake that’s choked full […]

I love to cook with my 4 1/2 year-old grandson. He gets soooooooo excited to be my sous chef, and he’s becoming quite adept with cooking ‘terminology’. So when we started this cake, I said, ‘Nicholas, why do we need two mixing bowls?’ With his big black as coal eyes, […]

Lemon yogurt cake. It just sounds like something you want to bite into! In fact, when I think about the tart lemon flavors and the creaminess of the filling, some serious drooling can fire up! If you want to serve it warm, then by all means do it. Just give […]

It’s an apple pie. It’s an apple cupcake. It’s both! Yes, these big boy apple pie cupcake cuties can be made ahead then popped in the oven then ready when dinner’s over and you want an impressive dessert! Now, you can serve right side up or upside down as you […]

Pumpkins! I love them. When I buy them, they last for a couple of months. I mean I get them at the beginning of October usually, and they’re good through almost the Christmas holidays. I change them up for the Christmas holidays by spray painting them in gold, silver and […]

Being a South Carolina girl, I know good peaches~~we have some of the best. However, when I come to Colorado, I’ve met my Palmetto state’s match! Palisade, located on the Colorado River at the base of the Grand Mesa in far western Colorado, is town in Colorado. It’s known for a […]

This walnut cherry yogurt loaf cake is choked full of juicy sweet cherries and crunchy nuts. They just occupy the top of this loaf cake and are like a soft bed of happiness! Now, this makes slicing a tad bit tricky, unless you really chop your walnuts finely (I prefer […]

This chocolate cream cheese sheet cake with bourbon brown sugar pecans is probably one of the best chocolate cake you’ll ever put in your mouth–at least that’s my palate’s opinion and that of food seekers who were salivating waiting for this cake to be eaten! Of course, no one eats until […]

What happens when a foodie turns to romance novel writing? Nothing sweeter and more loving than using the food in the passion! Please Forgive Me Cheesecake, also known as a cherry limeade cheesecake, is the masterpiece of Terra Romance Author and Food Blogger! She’d asked me and other foodies to […]

Crème anglaise is a French word for English cream. And, with the addition of coconut, which I love, and which you can omit if you don’t care for it, you have this fabulous dessert that’s just so very light and velvety smooth. I highly recommend you spring for a vanilla […]

Seems in our house if I buy more than 5 bananas at least two or three turn black and are ready to go ‘bad’ within just a couple of days. Maybe I should just buy one or two bananas at a time, but that just doesn’t seem quite right because […]

This recipe is from my good friend, Mary Marshall, a SC gal who has a huge following in social media and a fabulous blog, All Things Food~Cooking with Mary and Friends~Mary’s all about farm to table and spends so much of her time connecting with local farmers and producers in South […]

The best part of having a Facebook cooking page is meeting all the great foodies from around the world! I’ts like having my own virtual cooking kitchen at my fingertips…I mean I can just post that I need to know more about a particular ethnicity’s cuisine, and, within minutes I […]

You know that something’s reeeeeally good when you hear moans and groans. I mean moans and groans of ecstasy and happiness. These are sounds that I heard when Ben, my hubster, went to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee after dinner~~it was as if he was sprouting wings, […]

Do you what a ‘charleston chew’ is? Well, it’s a candy bar invented in about 1922 when ‘The Charleston’~~as in the dance~~was popular!The company was purchased in 1957 by Nathan Sloane and later sold to Nabisco in 1980. Pop culture even knows this candy bar as it’s mentioned by Bart in The Simpsons episode “Lisa […]

When you take a bite of this ‘maple pumpkin meringue pie’ you’ll think that you’re experiencing a poof of airy lightness mixed creamy warm spiced textures in your mouth. It’s so light that when I took my first bite I thought I was going to float! Well, not really but […]

French-inspired cheesecake and simple—if that sounds like an oxymoron, then don’t be alarmed. French cooking doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be good. And while elaborate gastronomic feats can be good, they’re also very intimidating to the everyday cook, like me, and maybe like you, who knows! I’m […]

If you’ve never used a popover pan, then jump on the bandwagon because they’re so much fun. And, these buttermilk pumpkin walnut spiced popovers are just one example. You can change up regular recipes making them whimsical and happy. I mean popover pans are not just for ‘popovers’…although I’ve a […]

This pie is the bomb. Of course, the star of this pie is the granny smith tart apple~~and, sliced every so onion-skin thin on a mandolin~~be super careful when working with this gizmo because it be sharp~~and all the spices. What I love about this ‘pie’ is that it will keep on your counter for a few days if you keep it covered and air-tight~~perfect for a quick snack or to sit down with your cup of coffee or tea and savor before you get your day going or, hey, at the end of the day!

This fruity moist sweet cake is like a LBD or ‘little black dress’ creation~~it can be used for so many things~~dressed up or down, worn with flipflops or heels, well, so to speak! Add some frozen yogurt, a swizzle of warm chocolate ganache, and you have a fancy dessert. Cut […]

What happens when your apples start to lose their luster, show signs of aging, and have soft spots and bruises~~I mean it’s really funny how food, like people, age in much the same way! Well, what I do is re-invent the food or ingredient and bring new life to it! […]

Vintage recipes are as important, to me, for one’s family history and legacy as story telling, names, photos, and items and objects that are saved and passed down from one generation to another. It’s a way of sharing with the new generations what life was like ‘back in the day’~~and, with […]

There’s not much to say about this other than it’s awesome beans! No, I mean awesome apples~~sure hope you have a ‘mandolin’ for slicing these apples reeeeallly thin because that’s what truly brings the flavors out, plus they just pile high and stack up and almost make a pastry dough […]

Sometimes you just must cross over to the ‘prissy’ side of serving your desserts after a fabulously boholicious meal~~and, it doesn’t matter with me if it’s just me or just hubby and me~~as in this dessert. Because these flavors and textures are beautifully varied~~a slight tartness in the compote, a […]

This cake has a history and a story behind it…well, actually three stories. First of all, as a littl’ girl growing up in West Virginia, I lived in the hollers. On usually one Saturday a month, Dad and Mom would take us kids to the ‘big city,’ the county seat, to ‘shop’ at […]

What’s the best thing to make teenagers and little ones happy when they’re staying with you? Chocolate! And, nothing better than a chocolate bundt brownie cake. So, my sweet 16 and 17 y/o niece and nephew who live in Germany have come to visit and my 3 y/o grandson, so […]

This is a not-too-sweet moist coconut cake that gets so much of its flavoring from the healthy coconut oil~~throw in a little shredded sweet coconut, and you have a cake that’s versatile and big much tasty! I drizzled mine with chocolate ganache, so this cake was like one of my […]

Originally created as an entry into the 2013 Scharffen Chocolate Contests. This cookie sammich had to have a special name. And, because of that I went to the most creative and zany foodie friends I know and asked for suggestions…I mean this is not just your ordinary cookie sandwich, right? […]

I’ve had the great privilege of getting to know Chef Ben Ford, the talented son of Harrison and the owner of the amazing ‘Ford’s Filling Station’ restaurant in Culver City, CA. Ben, a really down-home, warm, hug-able fella (at least I lay some big Ally West Virginia hugs on him!), […]

You may be wondering why I called this a ‘flop’ cake. Well, it’s because when I cook I’m usually doing two or three recipes simultaneously~~my nature is to multi-task, and that’s what happens in the kitchen! From photographing, writing down recipes as I’m creating, washing pots, skillets, dishes to having […]

I haven’t had real good luck with making a carrot cake! The 4-layer one I made a few months ago was so dry that I had to demolish it and re-cycle it into ‘Carrot Cake Rum Balls’ which, by the way……were quite delicious as well as compellingly gorgeous—simple bite sizes […]

Baby cakes. Yep, that’s what these sweet delectable boston sour cream cakes are! Make one for yourself and one to give away! It’s a Boston Cream Pie on steroids with three layers of tender cake, luscious layers of homemade brandy cream between the layers and then on top, a thick […]

Sometimes I have these sneak weak chocolate attacks late at night, and I tip toe to the kitchen, turn on the pantry light, and start scouring~~now if I’m lucky enough to have something I’ve baked, awesome~~but, so many times, I give away 90% of what I bake within 24 hours, […]

March 14 is National Pi Day, so whenever it rolls around, I’m celebrating this mathematics phenom day with something PIlicious! These ~apple pear pie stackers~ are totally PIriffic because whether you eat them right out of the oven hot or the next day cold, you’re gonna have tingly giggle tastebuds […]

What happens when you fix a huge pot of oatmeal, everyone eats, and there’s still a bunch left over? No way could I throw it out. I thought about an oatmeal pudding~~but, that sounded kinda hokey to me, and I didn’t think it’s be appealing to teenagers. Then I thought […]

Traditional Bábovka is kind of alike a coffee cake, rich with eggs and chopped blanched almonds and baked in a round pan with a hole in the center. This feather-light delicacy is served with hot coffee for the Easter Sunday feast in Czechoslovakia. I have a wonderful friend, Natasa, who has […]

Seasonal fruits and vegetables are always the best when cooking and when creating new recipes~~since it’s pomegranate season, I’m creating a windstorm of recipes that use this delectable fruit. In fact, one of my recipes just won the Stiebs Pomegranate Contest~~I thought why not have these littl’ bursts of bubble […]

If you like ‘pudding’ breads and you dig lemon and some fresh herbs, then you’ll really dig this loaf bread! It’s got a dense moist center, notice the subtle ‘sag’ in the center of the loaf, but that’s where the really good stuff is…like the sweet spot or the pulley […]

Rather than just slicing and baking this blue tube of sugar cookie dough that was lurking in my refrigerator~~I mean how in the world did it get there ***tsk tsk*** {blame the Pillsbury Bake Off competition, which, by the way, I never made it past the entry level of competition […]

Nothing makes me happier than a good pumpkin ‘pie’~~I’ve been know to eat an entire pie over the course of 2-3 days! This ‘Pumpkin Pineapple Ginger Tart’ puts a new twist on an old favorite. The crust has a sweet ginger flavor and some subtle crunch in it. The addition […]

The Fall 2013 issue of the Grand Strand Magazine is called the ‘Food & Wine’ special edition. I’m featured as the Grand Strand personality (it’s a cool article!), and there were local female chefs featured, amazing gals, as well as some of the best dessert recipes I’ve ever seen. Some […]

This recipe artistry was entered into the 2012 Scharffen Chocolate Contest~~no win, but believe me, GOOD! I just couldn’t make up my mind as to whether I wanted waffle cookie sandwiches or round cake cookie sandwiches~~it’s like seeing two stunning LBDs (little black dresses)~~you buy both~ Well, I made both! […]

Today I’m going to be like Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes! Why? Because I’m taking this fabulous ‘Blackberry Pound Cake’ to an unsuspecting recipient and giving it to them!! Oh, I just can’t wait!! Actually, it’s one slice shy of a whole cake~~when I photographed the slice that you also see […]

Usually my cheesecakes are rustic and peasant meaning I just dump the ingredients into the mixing bowl, blend, pour into the crust and bake. This ‘Lemon Orange Marmalade Ultimate Cheesecake’ is different~~I took more time with it, like I used a hand mixer and actually let things get fluffy and […]

Finding new fooding products to play with is like finding new toys for my cooking! I leisurely hang out in grocery stores spending sometimes hours in the aisles looking at various products. (Each of us has our idiosyncrasies ) My wheels are always turning to have that light bulb go on. Even […]

Mama Helen, my precious MIL and Ben’s mom, was a fabulous Southern woman and a well-known and prolific home cook. Over the years of being in the Phillips family with her and Daddy Howard, Ben’s Dad, I had many meals in her kitchens. The cabin, the Finley Park house, the […]

Nothing’s more sexxxy and special on Valentine’s Day than to make something sweet with your own littl’ two hands for your sweetheart! And, this red dragon sweetheart cake will win rave reviews. Now, if you know me well, you know that I consider myself a bush league baker. In other […]

Double duty~~that’s what these ‘Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Oatmeal Bars’ are~~ well, really triple or quadruple duty! They’re not real sweet, so they can handle the cream cheese icing and chocolate ganache. If you don’t want to do that, then don’t!! Leave them ‘au naturale’! You might want to eat them […]

I’ve had others ask me, ‘Why do you call this Croatian cheesecake?’ Probably the best reason is that I learned how to make cheesecake, this version, from my Croatian mom who learned it from her Croatian mom, my grandmother, who came to America in the early 20th century, and who, […]

You never know the reaction you’ll get from total strangers when they taste your food. Ally’s Kitchen & my Boho princesses teamed up with our local Anthropologie store one Fall Saturday for an Ally’s Kitchen & Anthropologie Nibbles. Essentially, I put my spin on recipes I’d chosen from some of their cookbooks. […]